Coffee’s received a lot of good publicity in recent years for the way it appears to protect the brain from degenerative diseases. We know that coffee is full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, plant-compounds, fats, and carbs. In small amounts, coffee can actually be beneficial for most healthy individuals. The main downside to coffee is that it’s highly acidic, and this acidity can have possible repercussions on the gut.

Coffee’s Effects on the Gut

Before you drink your next cup of java, weekend latte, or morning cup of joe, here’s five facts to know about coffee’s effect on the gut.

1. Higher Stomach Acidity

Drink a lot of coffee first thing in the morning on a regular basis, and gut problems may be right around the corner. It’s not just the caffeine http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33271 that does this, so drinking decaf won’t avoid the danger. Caffeine and other plant-based compounds stimulate the stomach cells to release more hydrochloric acid, which can, at times, aid digestion. [1] [2]

But regular coffee drinking, especially in the morning on an empty stomach, reduces the amount of stomach acid available for digestion later on. H. pylori bacteria, the main bacteria responsible for ulcers, prefers highly acidic environments. Combine this with the way coffee weakens the protective barrier of the stomach – the mucosal layer [3] — and the risk of damage and ulcers increases.

2. Encourages Acid Reflux

Drink enough coffee and you may experience acid reflux http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=33723 or heartburn. Coffee relaxes the esophageal sphincter, or the muscle valve that allows the food into the stomach. At the same time, it also prevents it from escaping up the throat. Stomach acid that escapes irritates the tissue of the esophagus. If it happens frequently enough, complications like sores, ulcers, or permanent changes to cells in the esophagus can occur.

Coffee’s known to encourage the stomach to release its contents into the small intestine before complete digestion has occurred. [5] Food that doesn’t get fully digested often ends up sitting and rotting in the gut. This creates a toxic environment ideal for ‘bad’ bacteria to spread in the intestines, damages the intestinal wall, and leads to inflammation http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=34708 and an immune response to enzymes in the coffee.

5. Over Stimulates Intestinal Wave Action

Nerve and brain cells rely on a neurochemical called GABA. It’s responsible for calming the nerves after they fire. The caffeine in coffee prevents GABA from doing its job and this may lead to overactive bowels. The most common symptom is cramping or an urge to go to the bathroom.

One Final Thought

While it doesn’t directly harm the bowels, coffee does reduce the retention and absorption of minerals like magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron. Here’s a basic rundown on these nutrients:

And you should not drink coffee if you have gallstones. Coffee http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=33433 doesn’t cause gallstones, but it does cause the gallbladder to contract, creating a very painful situation. When it comes to coffee, the best way to know if harm’s being done is to notice how you feel. If it has a severe laxative effect or causes cramping or acid reflux, you may want to take some time off. Studies have shown the damage and irritation quickly heals once coffee consumption stops.

Are you a coffee lover? Or do you avoid the stuff like plague? Share your experience with us below.